Stage 18 Discussion & Spoiler Thread

[MattTuck]

Guess I'll get this one started...

still no rain. but they're saying 'nasty weather ahead'

We'll see.

Hoping that the racing up this once in 100 years double Alpe rises to the occasion.

[cfox]

wet dream (pun intended): Contador attacks at some point first time up the Alp, gets a small gap on the climb that turns big on the descent. Froome is so wet and frustrated he falls apart 2nd time up. I know this isn't going to happen, but it would be fun to watch.

[rustychisel]

2 up the road for Saxobank, want to see Alberto cut loose. He looked so forlorn after yesterday's TT.

[bikerboy337]

I'm at home sick today (for real) so I can watch it live.

Bad news is I'm nasty sick with either a stomach bug, or I got something nasty from swimming in the NYCTRI in the Hudson on sunday. (second day at home this week with a nasty stomach thing)

Hoping for a good stage.

Glad to see its dry so far

[2LeftCleats]

From today's Onion

http://www.theonion.com/articles/tour-de-france-enters-stage-where-officials-begin,33150/

[MattTuck]

I am seeing some fans on the side of the road with the big green cardboard hands (from PMC still?)... I thought they were banned after the Thor Hushovd incident?

[BumbleBeeDave]

These are foam rubber. I got one last year when I was there. (First of many obligatory boasts reminding everybody that I've been there. :p )

BBD

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . from my day on the Alpe last year. The "Dutch Corner" that is solid people today is pics is #887 and #895 in the album. Deserted last year except for a bike coming by occasionally. #896 is the church on that corner--we were there on Bastille Day, thus the decorations.

http://www.pbase.com/bumblebeedave/7142012_alpe_d_huez&page=all

BBD

[pbarry]

Rooting for Teejay! Break down to five.

[MattTuck]

Well, Van Garderen is showing some bravery, or foolishness.

[echelon_john]

I'm drinking every time they say "Sensible."

So wasted right now.

[MattTuck]

"the guards on this section are armed"... lol.

[bikerboy337]

Really was hoping they'd be attacking by now and get a gap at the top... Looks like its all going to wait until the 2nd time up...

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . the fans were rowdy the FIRST time up there . . . :eek:

;)

BBD

[MattTuck]

Really was hoping they'd be attacking by now and get a gap at the top... Looks like its all going to wait until the 2nd time up...

The Sarrene (sorry for the spelling) is pretty steep. There is still time to attack if they decide they want to, before the descent.

[bikerboy337]

Uh oh shimano

[LJohnny]

chaingate all over again?

[572cv]

Looks like Riblon cooked the same corner that the guy in the video descent missed. (See: Col de Sarenne thread).. No injuries, just a sneaky bend.

[572cv]

and now, some drizzle....

[LJohnny]

There is one guy taking pics at the apex of a switchback. It is taking the guys by off tempo on the descent. Not a smart place to sit!

[MattTuck]

TVG @ 45 seconds after mechanical issue... doesn't look comfortable from the helicopter shots.

then again, if a helicopter were hovering over me, I might not look comfortable either.

[BumbleBeeDave]

There is one guy taking pics at the apex of a switchback. It is taking the guys by off tempo on the descent. Not a smart place to sit!

. . . photographers! ;)

BBD

[MattTuck]

USA! USA!

I hope he didn't burn too many matches getting back into the group.

[bikerboy337]

Go tejay!

[phcollard]

You guys are killing me! I'm stuck at the office trying to follow you as well as a live ticker. I can't wait to watch the stage tonight!

[firerescuefin]

Movistar is the return of Postal :rolleyes:


Just wanted to sound like a bunch of the forum commentators :help:

[chengher87]

Go JENS!!!

[bikerboy337]

Jens is there! He's amazing!

[MattTuck]

And Jens Voigt comes out of nowhere! :eek:


If you can watch...
http://www.hahabar.com/20130627/v-cycling-598971-51cb6fd0a28882.12577614.html

[firerescuefin]

Time to go TJ

[firerescuefin]

And Jens Voigt comes out of nowhere! :eek:


If you can watch...
http://www.hahabar.com/20130627/v-cycling-598971-51cb6fd0a28882.12577614.html

He was part/ last survivor of the original break

[BumbleBeeDave]

This is exciting! :banana::banana::banana:

BBD

[firerescuefin]

Looks good...hard to imagine him getting caught...unless there is an absolute collapse.

Froome looking humanesque today.

[MattTuck]

Still amazes me how far they bank their bikes around the switchbacks...

I'm really pulling for TVG. Would be awesome to see the 4th, 3rd or 2nd American win on Alpe d'Huez. Depending on how you count.

[firerescuefin]

Up 4:20 on the peleton with 10.2k to go

[firerescuefin]

Time for Froome to "phone home" with Quintana (they're taking off from the Peleton.

[firerescuefin]

Is BATTLING...they're not gaining much time on him.

[chengher87]

Wow, sales of Pinarello are gonna SKYrocket after the tour. The two strongest teams are riding the Dogma's.

I'm hoping Jens or Purito wins it!

[MattTuck]

illegal refeed!

quintana attacks!

[chengher87]

Another illegal feed by team sky. Cheeky move having Richie Porte get the gels and the penalty.

[4Rings6Stars]

Froome about to bonk... some more "illegal" feeding...

Quintana has taken off and is making up time.

Edit: haha, three of us posted the same thing at the same time...

[firerescuefin]

Is bonking with 4k to go...Quintana and Rodriguez are off

[LJohnny]

OH man this is exciting!!!

Fans are out of control

Illegal eating!

[jpw]

TJ is rocking. Riblon is scenting victory.

[chengher87]

Froome about to bonk... some more "illegal" feeding...

Quintana has taken off and is making up time.

Edit: haha, three of us posted the same thing at the same time...

Hilarious! But seriously, those illegal feeds are just getting worse and worse. He was on the rivet again and he "gets" another boost of energy. Sky has said that other teams do that, but I've yet to see it so blatantly done near the finish.

[stien]

Moar updates!! I'm on the water again!

[4Rings6Stars]

TJ smoked at 2k banner

[LJohnny]

ArgHHHH!!!!

[firerescuefin]

Hilarious! But seriously, those illegal feeds are just getting worse and worse. He was on the rivet again and he "gets" another boost of energy. Sky has said that other teams do that, but I've yet to see it so blatantly done near the finish.

Are you kidding me...as if any other GC contender wouldn't have done the same...I'd pay the fine...they need to make them time penalties.

[echelon_john]

Froome should get the Emmy for best actor...

[firerescuefin]

To Riblon :cool:

[MattTuck]

what happened Tejay? did he bonk? where did that acceleration from Riblon come from?

[LJohnny]

THat was really exciting. TJ did great. Riblon got the extra energy at the right moment. Good day for a French Win and wine.

[rwsaunders]

what happened Tejay? did he bonk? where did that acceleration from Riblon come from?

He didn't have access to Froome's musette....

[MattTuck]

He didn't have access to Froome's musette....

or apparently a team mate to fall back to the car, get some gel, ride back up to him and pass him the gel... if it turns out that this was egregious and caught on tape, how will this impact the perception of the yellow jersey?



Froome looked better than Wiggins last year
Porte looks better than Froome this year
Who will look better than Porte next year?

[PQJ]

Tour is over. Only question is whether Contador holds on to a podium spot. Quintana and Rodriguez are both on his arse and looking stronger. Two tough stages still to come.

I also don't want to pile on to the Froome 'looks' bandwagon, but . . . he looks really really unhealthy. At least the others have some meat on their bones, both top and bottom. Maybe he really is clean and anorexia is the secret. It isn't a PED (yet), is it?

[BumbleBeeDave]

or apparently a team mate to fall back to the car, get some gel, ride back up to him and pass him the gel... if it turns out that this was egregious and caught on tape, how will this impact the perception of the yellow jersey?


I wonder if referees will choose to crack down ona team that so obviously violates the spirit of the rules, if not the letter. The whole idea ofthe rule is simply not to do it, not just to go ahead and do it if you can afford the penalty.

BBD

[MattTuck]

and what is this business about a surprise UCI bike weight check, and Contador changing his bike right after the announcement?

[chengher87]

Are you kidding me...as if any other GC contender wouldn't have done the same...I'd pay the fine...they need to make them time penalties.

I'm not gonna argue that other GC contenders wouldn't get illegal feeds, but I don't remember anything like this happening in previous tours. He was in the middle of the Ventoux climb when he got the musettes and today he was 4.0 km from the top of Alpe d'Huez when he got the gels. I've seen riders get water bottles from neutral service within 10km, but never energy bars and gels.

[Joachim]

I'm not gonna argue that other GC contenders wouldn't get illegal feeds, but I don't remember anything like this happening in previous tours. He was in the middle of the Ventoux climb when he got the musettes and today he was 4.0 km from the top of Alpe d'Huez when he got the gels. I've seen riders get water bottles from neutral service within 10km, but never energy bars and gels.

The feed on the Ventoux was legal.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/07/news/jury-president-skys-ventoux-feed-legal-no-time-limit-extension-for-the-alpe_295537

[slidey]

If i'm not much mistaken, Tejay was 4km from the top, not Froome...he might've been 6.5km or so from the top. Not justifying skeletor's move, but just wanted to get the numbers right.

I'm not gonna argue that other GC contenders wouldn't get illegal feeds, but I don't remember anything like this happening in previous tours. He was in the middle of the Ventoux climb when he got the musettes and today he was 4.0 km from the top of Alpe d'Huez when he got the gels. I've seen riders get water bottles from neutral service within 10km, but never energy bars and gels.

[jvp]

This explains the illegal feeding rule (from bikeforums):
"The race referees have announced that any rider with a black jersey will be allowed to feed with 4 kilometers to go. This will be broadcast on a scrambled radio channel to be announced to select members of the inner circle. That is all. "

[Len J]

They won't do it, but how exciting would the next two days be if they docked Fromme 2 minutes? ( or the est of how much time he would have lost had he not cheated)

Len

[Len J]

How come Porte got the good stuff?

Len

[Lewis Moon]

They won't do it, but how exciting would the next two days be if they docked Fromme 2 minutes? ( or the est of how much time he would have lost had he not cheated)

Len

Indeed. Tomorrow's stage would bring out the long knives. It still probably will as (I think) four of the top five are within a minute or so of each other. Berto will be hissing and clawing like a cornered tomcat tomorrow.

[phcollard]

Confirmed. Froome docked 20 seconds for illegal feed.

And if you ask me gets a slap on the neck for not playing fair :butt:

[enr1co]

Uh oh shimano

Yeah, I know "that's bike racing" and chapeau to Riblon but imho TJ would have likley had just enough gas to hold off him off if not having to do the chase back due to the Shimano e-shift/chain/mechanical failure- bummer:mad:

[enr1co]

Paul Sherwen mentioned that Lemond and Hinault did a L'alpe reunion ride before the race- would love to see some video of that if available :cool:

[fiamme red]

Paul Sherwen mentioned that Lemond and Hinault did a L'alpe reunion ride before the race- would love to see some video of that if available :cool:I'd rather just watch footage from the 1986 race.

http://medias.lequipe.fr/img-photo-jpg/hinault-lemond-arriv-l-aigle-eux-t-s/1500000000295958/0:0,1994:1290-850-0-75/8ff9e.jpg

[jpw]

Paul Sherwen mentioned that Lemond and Hinault did a L'alpe reunion ride before the race- would love to see some video of that if available :cool:

i saw a clip of that. Lemond needs to lose a lot of weight. Badger looks solid, but not out of shape.

[chengher87]

Yeah, I know "that's bike racing" and chapeau to Riblon but imho TJ would have likley had just enough gas to hold off him off if not having to do the chase back due to the Shimano e-shift/chain/mechanical failure- bummer:mad:

Not only that, some moron totally interrupted his rhythm on the climb. It's hard to get your pedaling back in rhythm on that climb once you are out of your zone. TVG isn't my favorite rider (or even favorite American rider), but man did he impress me today.

[PQJ]

Real men ride campy!

[enr1co]

Confirmed. Froome docked 20 seconds for illegal feed.

And if you ask me gets a slap on the neck for not playing fair :butt:

Good! :no:

Im sure its a psyche move by Froome with his "put my arm around Quintana's back while Im cruising up the climb" gesture but this seems a bit condescending to me.

I dont think he's earned "Patron" status of the peloton yet.

[enr1co]

i saw a clip of that. Lemond needs to lose a lot of weight.

uhh...This is likely the same comment/thought from guys that I run into on the road that I used to race with :o

[TBDSeattle]

^^^ +1!

[bikingshearer]

Confirmed. Froome docked 20 seconds for illegal feed.

And if you ask me gets a slap on the neck for not playing fair :butt:

Good! :no:

Good, but not good enough. It should be at least a minute at a bare minimum, and 2 or more would not be out of line. Heck, I wouldn't object if they docked him 15 minutes, disqualify Porte, and fined Sky, the riders involved and the manager in the car some serious, ouch-worthy coin.

This is flat-out cheating. Froome was bonking. That is a potentially Tour-changing event, one which would have shown just how tough he really is. Eating properly during a stage is part of the gig. Without the illegal feed, he very likely would have lost a good chunk of time. Maybe he could have gutted it out, maybe he would have lost 10 minutes - it has happened. So he gets a meaningless 20 second time penalty and avoids any risk of suffering the consequences of his weakness.

Truly unsporting.It is simply wrong to have the penalty for overt cheating like that to be far less than the consequences of following the rules. It is an open invitation to do cheat.

As for Sky's "everyone else does it, too" whine: That argument doesn't cut the mustard on a 2nd grade playground, what makes you think it's acceptable here?

[Lewis Moon]

With second through fourth being within 47 seconds of each other, we may see an attacking frenzy or a tactical snooze tomorrow. I think we'll see Movistar, Katouscha (SP?) and Saxo hammering on the pace to prevent attacks and watching each other until the last big climb. However...it's 204k long and the two biggest climbs come in the first 100k. War of attrition?

[PQJ]

I dont think he's earned "Patron" status of the peloton yet.

Not part of the Sky model. With Porte on deck for yellow next year, it's hard to have a rotating patron. They need Rapha to channel Ian Fleming and have tiny poison-tipped darts integrated into their chamoix so that they can be a 'team patron' or something like that.

[firerescuefin]

I'm not gonna argue that other GC contenders wouldn't get illegal feeds, but I don't remember anything like this happening in previous tours. He was in the middle of the Ventoux climb when he got the musettes and today he was 4.0 km from the top of Alpe d'Huez when he got the gels. I've seen riders get water bottles from neutral service within 10km, but never energy bars and gels.

I share in your irriation...make it 2 minutes today...and I guarantee it never happens again. 20 seconds is a joke.

[MattTuck]

I share in your irriation...make it 2 minutes today...and I guarantee it never happens again. 20 seconds is a joke.

+1.


If they exercised the same cold heart with which they dispensed of Ted King, we'd be looking at an interesting GC race at this moment.

Froome said something about their car having mechanical difficulties earlier in the climb. I don't know if that is BS or not. Either way, there is almost no weight penalty for carrying a whole pocket full of gels. There is no reason why you should ever run out.

Perhaps on Froome, a pocket full of gels could add 1 or 2% to his body weight thus throwing off his power to weight ratio. :rolleyes:

[PQJ]

"It’s crazy hearing people talk like this. Of course I’m human. Anyone can have a bad day and any athlete can have a sugar low at the end of a race, so as far as my energy goes, I know what I’m doing is right and I’m extremely proud of what I’ve done and no one can take that away from me."

--Chris Froome; post-stage 18 interview.

[GuyGadois]

I used to like Froome but now I wouldn't mind seeing him stumble...


"At the end of the day a rule is a rule and if I’ve been given 20 seconds I’ll have to take that, but if you look at the technicality it was actually Richie Porte who fed from the car not myself. I fed from Richie Porte so maybe that’s something that needs to be taken in consideration," Froome said.

[Lewis Moon]

I used to like Froome but now I wouldn't mind seeing him stumble...


"At the end of the day a rule is a rule and if I’ve been given 20 seconds I’ll have to take that, but if you look at the technicality it was actually Richie Porte who fed from the car not myself. I fed from Richie Porte so maybe that’s something that needs to be taken in consideration," Froome said.

"That depends on what your definition of is, is."

It's the spirt of the rule that counts. Technical weaselry will not make it within that spirit. I hope the race for second gets so hot tomorrow that he feels some real heat.

[joep2517]

I used to like Froome but now I wouldn't mind seeing him stumble...


"At the end of the day a rule is a rule ...." Froome said.

Didn't they disqualify Ted King because he was 7 seconds out of the time requirement during the TTT? If a rule is a rule (and I know Froome said this) then what do the rules say about this situation?

[BumbleBeeDave]

It is not doping, but IMO it IS cheating in spirit.

Only a 20 second penalty is a joke. Of course I am trying to keep in mind that the jury may have no choice--there may be a prescribed, set penalty for that sort of action that they cannot go beyond.

BBD

[harlond]

There's probably a rule granting the commissars authority to set the penalty for the illegal feed. Lesser rule, I guess.

[rwsaunders]

Paul Sherwen mentioned that Lemond and Hinault did a L'alpe reunion ride before the race- would love to see some video of that if available :cool:

Ask and ye shall receive....

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-bB-eshO9Rg&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D-bB-eshO9Rg

[ultraman6970]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UM8MmAAB2U&feature=youtube_gdata

[T.J.]

The same thing happened with a different team in the Tour De Suisse and the penalty was 20 seconds

[Bruce K]

Actually, Phil and Paul commented on the "infraction" and noted that Froome sent Porte back yo get the food PRECISELY so he would NOT get penalized. They speculated it would be a fine as the penalty.

Calculated strategy to circumvent the rules.

He should have been hit harder

BK

[slidey]

What a heartless bastidd! Porte has been shredding himself whenever he can, for this bilious bum, and this is how he plays on technicality.

Vain prik :mad:

I used to like Froome but now I wouldn't mind seeing him stumble...


"At the end of the day a rule is a rule and if I’ve been given 20 seconds I’ll have to take that, but if you look at the technicality it was actually Richie Porte who fed from the car not myself. I fed from Richie Porte so maybe that’s something that needs to be taken in consideration," Froome said.

[enr1co]

Ask and ye shall receive....

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-bB-eshO9Rg&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D-bB-eshO9Rg

Thanks for posting!

Would have been a hoot to ride along with these two greats this day- may have been able to stay in pace with them without having to "dig into the suitcase of courage" ;)

[pbarry]

Just watched the recap after losing the live feed at work this morning near the top of the first Alp D'Huez climb, dang.

1. TV would have won the stage if not for the mechanical. True Grit Jersey there.

2. The late feed by SKY should have a 2 minute penalty, as others have said. They are flaunting the rules, and for the Yellow Jersey to do this is shameful.

3. First time this Tour I had to listen to Phil and his exaggerations: Froome "cracked"! :eek:

4. Great stage!

[Louis]

Thread drift:

I know I don't follow racing much, but I just realized that I've never heard of Andrew Talansky, the top American in the GC. Plus, he's ahead by quite a bit.

I guess that's a sign of the state of top-level cycling in the US today.

[pbarry]

Thread drift:

I know I don't follow racing much, but I just realized that I've never heard of Andrew Talansky, the top American in the GC. Plus, he's ahead by quite a bit.

I guess that's a sign of the state of top-level cycling in the US today.

Right?!? He was totally off my radar until last week. Definitely an all-rounder. Will be watching him from now on.

[T.J.]

Just watched the recap after losing the live feed at work this morning near the top of the first Alp D'Huez climb, dang.

1. TV would have won the stage if not for the mechanical. True Grit Jersey there.

2. The late feed by SKY should have a 2 minute penalty, as others have said. They are flaunting the rules, and for the Yellow Jersey to do this is shameful.

3. First time this Tour I had to listen to Phil and his exaggerations: Froome "cracked"! :eek:

4. Great stage!

I think the penalty was fair, it's what they have handed out before for that infraction. The feed the other day that most thought was illegal was not. Race officials broadcast on race radio that teams could feed on the climb due to the heat. Not defending Sky , just stating facts

[pbarry]

I think the penalty was fair, it's what they have handed out before for that infraction. The feed the other day that most thought was illegal was not. Race officials broadcast on race radio that teams could feed on the climb due to the heat. Not defending Sky , just stating facts

Agreed, totally. Not dissing the commissars. The rule should be changed tho. Today's hand-off was over-the-top. Put nutrition stuff in your jersey pockets, that's what the rest of us do. Carrying 100g of gel won't lose the race.

[cfox]

-calls out rivals by name on twitter
-calls for descents to be neutralized
-offers lame, politico-style explanations as to illegal feeds
-waves trailing rivals through to work with a 4+ minute advantage

Froome is a turd and will be a very unpopular TDF champion

[harryblack]

-calls out rivals by name on twitter
-calls for descents to be neutralized
-offers lame, politico-style explanations as to illegal feeds
-waves trailing rivals through to work with a 4+ minute advantage

Froome is a turd and will be a very unpopular TDF champion

cfox is 1000% correct!

and if Froome is willing to cheat, dissemble and front like that in PUBLIC-- on the biggest stage of his life, natch-- what the heck do ya'll think he's willing to do in private?

L-O-V-E it that the same fraud scientist who told us Lance was special is now doing the same for Froome.

Gutsy ride for Tejay, more embarrassment for Garmin, were anyone paying attention (which they're not).

[chengher87]

Right?!? He was totally off my radar until last week. Definitely an all-rounder. Will be watching him from now on.

Thread drift:

I know I don't follow racing much, but I just realized that I've never heard of Andrew Talansky, the top American in the GC. Plus, he's ahead by quite a bit.

I guess that's a sign of the state of top-level cycling in the US today.

Come On! He finished 7th at the Vuelta last year and looked very good. If it wasn't for a little youthful enthusiasm at this year's Paris-Nice, he would have taken the overall classification (he attacked 3 times when he didn't have to, burnt himself out and then Porte attacked while he was recovering and that was that).

Garmin said that it had three team leaders, but I knew Hesjadal wouldn't do much and Dan Martin can't time trial. So I thought Talansky would be the best of the group, but top ten?! Even I didn't see that.

[Louis]

He finished 7th at the Vuelta last year

In that case, I take it all back - someone who only barely follows racing should have heard of him. :p

[ultraman6970]

Hey...

- sky should have given at least minute and a half for the feed issue.

- Saxo IMO played their cards wrong, the early attack of roche back fired unless they wanted to have sky to chase them. Since every team have their own plans things got really weird for saxo today.

- The attack downhill, well he just tried and kind'a worked but it was clear that froome was going to attack in the mountains, he always do. Contador by mere luck did not lose his podium position today.

- Feel sorry for TJ, better luck next time I guess :( Was cheering for him to win this one. Since big george left the team, BMC looks like a conglomerate of world champions, that's all. The team has nothing to offer but maybe little phiney and TJ, but besides that is just a bunch of ex super riders that are too old right now. No idea what they will do next season. Too many chief's, not many indians.

- Hope some teams are smart and get Froome domestique as their GC guy for next year (BMC? trek???), from what he has shown he deserves a shot.

- I see valverde getting as high as 8th place, and then Quintana and Rodriguez in the podium for 2nd and 3rd place just as Rodriguez said a couple of days ago. Rodriguez will wait and wait, contador still dreams with the 1s place but it might not happen.

- Tomorrow, well they saw Froome dead today so clearly the guy is human and not an alien. Sure all the teams are just regretting not have attacked in stage 6 (i believe) when they had the chance, now rodriguez and quintana have to just wait for froome to make the 1st move as it happened today and wait for the best. Contador and wingman no idea if they will try a final assault for saturday but with 5 minutes is so hard that basically all the teams (even katusha) have to go for it and kill sky from the start and since everybody have their own particular plans i dont see this happening.

Nights.

[rustychisel]

they wouldn't allow this on Team Sky. I think you can guess which corner of Alpe d'Huez this is. Adam Hansen enjoys a beer towards the end of a long day.

http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/cyclo/hansen.jpg

[vqdriver]

Didn't watch the post interview but that's a lame excuse to sell.

[vqdriver]

I heart this pic



http://www.dbmagazine.com.au/cyclo/hansen.jpg

[Bruce K]

That photo looks like some cyclocross races I've been at/in!

BK

[Climb01742]

Sky has demonstrated that the rules mean nothing to them. What d-bags. And how gutless the officials are for not assessing a larger time penalty. Bonking at that moment, on that mountain, should have meant minutes.

[phcollard]

Wow. I just heard an extract of Jean-François Pescheux's radio communication of yesterday when Porte got gels from the team car and it's not funny! He was yelling like crazy! "Sky team car... Sky! Illegal feeding! Illegal feeding! What you are doing is scandalous!!!"

I'm done with this team of cheats :butt::butt:

[firerescuefin]

Sky has demonstrated that the rules mean nothing to them. What d-bags. And how gutless the officials are for not assessing a larger time penalty. Bonking at that moment, on that mountain, should have meant minutes.

Agree on a bigger penalty...that being said, any other team in that situation is doing the same thing.

[laupsi]

just curious, would there be the same kind of dissent coming from the forum if a rider from another team had offered CF some nutritional help? it has happened before and I'm sure it has happened in this and every tour, (perhaps not to CF?). riders do this sort of thing all the time.

[jpw]

eating is not cheating guys.

[PQJ]

eating is not cheating guys.

It isn't cheating but it does require planning. If you eff the planning up, shame on you. Just ask Floyd. What if Froome was on the brink of a Floyd-like bonk? Could have changed the entire GC race. Made it more fun too.

[phcollard]

It isn't cheating but it does require planning. If you eff the planning up, shame on you. Just ask Floyd. What if Froome was on the brink of a Floyd-like bonk? Could have changed the entire GC race. Made it more fun too.

This.

[jpw]

It isn't cheating but it does require planning. If you eff the planning up, shame on you. Just ask Floyd. What if Froome was on the brink of a Floyd-like bonk? Could have changed the entire GC race. Made it more fun too.

My understanding is the Sky team car suffered an electrical failure before the ascent. Not really an effing of planning.

[PQJ]

My understanding is the Sky team car suffered an electrical failure before the ascent. Not really an effing of planning.

Didn't Postal have some mechanical with a bus on some remote mountain pass once?

Whatever the case, when I go on a long ride, I make sure I have enough food, plus something extra, just in case. And my livelihood doesn't depend on it. Just sayin', as they say.

[pbarry]

just curious, would there be the same kind of dissent coming from the forum if a rider from another team had offered CF some nutritional help? it has happened before and I'm sure it has happened in this and every tour, (perhaps not to CF?). riders do this sort of thing all the time.

The infraction was RP dropping back to the team car and getting food with less than 6km to go. If he'd had food in his jersey already, then he could have given that to CF; or AC, or the dude in the red devil suit....

[sfscott]

Water, and presumably energy drinks are supplied all over the place.

Enlighten me.

[laupsi]

The infraction was RP dropping back to the team car and getting food with less than 4km to go. If he'd had food in his jersey already, then he could have given that to CF; or AC, or the dude in the red devil suit....

he's wearing yellow this year...

[pmac]

My understanding is the Sky team car suffered an electrical failure before the ascent. Not really an effing of planning.

It's a Jaguar, no? Any good plan would include the possibility of a mechanical.

[pbarry]

Water, and presumably energy drinks are supplied all over the place.

Enlighten me.
Riders cannot receive food or water from the team car in the last km's of the race, for safety reasons. On the Alpe d'Huez, the cutoff was 6km from the finish. Porte got the feed at 5km. They can get food/water from another rider throughout the race. The rider taking the foodstuffs from the team car within the last few kms is the one penalized, however, since Porte handed off to Froome, they both received a fine and a time penalty.

[Climb01742]

And it was Sky's second breaking of the rules. At the base of a climb a few days ago -- beyond where support was allowed -- they had a team helper handing out feed bags.

Tour history is filled with epic bonks that changed race outcomes. There are rules for when and how a rider can accept food/drink. Yesterday was a clear violation of the rules with Port going back to the car...and Sky/Froome knew it, that's why Port went back, not Froome. They f-ing knew they were breaking the rules...just as they did earlier.

Sky may not dope (cough, cough) but they sure as hell cheat.

[e-RICHIE]

And it was Sky's second breaking of the rules. At the base of a climb a few days ago -- beyond where support was allowed -- they had a team helper handing out feed bags.


That feed was allowed, but few took advantage of it atmo.

ps

arrange disorder

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
:rolleyes::rolleyes::cool:
:cool:;):rolleyes:

[Climb01742]

That feed was allowed, but few took advantage of it atmo.

ps

arrange disorder

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
:rolleyes::rolleyes::cool:
:cool:;):rolleyes:

richie, your knowledge is deeper than mine. i was going by what the announcers said, that the feed was too close to the end of the race.

suppose i just don't much like sky. i thought teejay rode with class and guts yesterday. froome, not.

and surprisingly, i find myself pulling for AC. he's been a fighter this tour. i like that he hasn't given up.

[slidey]

Are you referring to the feed in question on the Alpe D'Huez?
If yes, either you or the Jury President Vicente Tortajada is flat out wrong -- take your pick. :cool:

If not, then you're misunderstanding which feed is 'in question'.

That feed was allowed, but few took advantage of it atmo.

ps

arrange disorder

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
:rolleyes::rolleyes::cool:
:cool:;):rolleyes:

[T.J.]

Are you referring to the feed in question on the Alpe D'Huez?
If yes, either you or the Jury President Vicente Tortajada is flat out wrong -- take your pick. :cool:

If not, then you're misunderstanding which feed is 'in question'.

They said they announced on race radios that day that they could feed on the climb due to the heat etc. That was a quote from the commissioner in velonews

[MattTuck]

Richie is referring to the Sky team giving out Bidons on Mt. Ventoux (story here (http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/07/news/jury-president-skys-ventoux-feed-legal-no-time-limit-extension-for-the-alpe_295537)) which seemed illegal at the time because it was within the 10km feed limit. That day, it was allowed and announced during the stage because the conditions were very hot.

The feed on the Alpe was illegal.

Many people feel that sky cheated twice, once on Ventoux and once on the Alpe with illegal feeding. The reality is that they only cheated once.


As an aside, why do the jerseys they wear have 3 pockets if they are not going to fill them up with gels?

Are you referring to the feed in question on the Alpe D'Huez?
If yes, either you or the Jury President Vicente Tortajada is flat out wrong -- take your pick. :cool:

If not, then you're misunderstanding which feed is 'in question'.

[slidey]

Is this in reference to Stage 18? If so, that announcement makes little to no sense. Why would Froome be penalised if indeed it was legal?

They said they announced on race radios that day that they could feed on the climb due to the heat etc. That was a quote from the commissioner in velonews

This makes much more sense. The Ventoux feed was their first skirmish, if it can be called that. I think the answer to why Froome doesn't carry round gels in his pocket was given by you earlier - it'd wreak havoc on his power to weight ratio :eek:

Richie is referring to the Sky team giving out Bidons on Mt. Ventoux (story here (http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/07/news/jury-president-skys-ventoux-feed-legal-no-time-limit-extension-for-the-alpe_295537)) which seemed illegal at the time because it was within the 10km feed limit. That day, it was allowed and announced during the stage because the conditions were very hot.

The feed on the Alpe was illegal.

Many people feel that sky cheated twice, once on Ventoux and once on the Alpe with illegal feeding. The reality is that they only cheated once.


As an aside, why do the jerseys they wear have 3 pockets if they are not going to fill them up with gels?

[Climb01742]

As an aside, why do the jerseys they wear have 3 pockets if they are not going to fill them up with gels?

True. Then there's the mental/planning/chess game aspect of stage racing that is key. Part of the challenge and brilliance of long mountain stages is racing with your head and legs, making sure as Paul says 1000 times a stage that your fuel is topped up. The rules make sure that everyone must race both 'races'. On the Alpe Froome flunked the bonk test but cribbed off someone else's paper.

[e-RICHIE]

No - I am referring to the feed that was allowed by the ASO atmo.


Are you referring to the feed in question on the Alpe D'Huez?
If yes, either you or the Jury President Vicente Tortajada is flat out wrong -- take your pick. :cool:

If not, then you're misunderstanding which feed is 'in question'.

[rwsaunders]

My understanding is the Sky team car suffered an electrical failure before the ascent. Not really an effing of planning.

If it was a British car, an electrical failure makes sense...

[Louis]

If it was a British car, an electrical failure makes sense...

I have to believe that was a joke. If not, oh the irony...